Dhaka: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday urged the people of the country to take steps against the culprits who may make arson attacks on people to kill them alive in the coming days.

‘Whoever makes such attacks, I urge people to take steps against them at once and we’ll do whatever is needed in this regard,’ she said, reports the UNB.

The Prime Minister said this while inaugurating the world’s largest burn and plastic surgery institute, ‘Sheikh Hasina National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute’, in the capital’s Chankharpul area.

The Health Ministry has named the institute after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in recognition of her devotion to development of burn and plastic surgery healthcare system which is expected to open a new horizon in treatment of burns as it will provide the best treatment facilities to patients.

Recalling the horrible days of 2013, 2014 and 2015 when BNP-Jamaat clique established a reign of terror through hurling Molotov bombs, arson attacks and setting fire on public and private establishments, Hasina questioned what type of political movement was that.

‘I can’t understand that…I don’t want such incidents to take place in Bangladesh again,’ she said.

She said the people of the country resisted those heinous attacks of BNP-Jamaat nexus where hundreds of people lost their lives and several thousands more got injured.

‘Our law enforcement agencies, intelligence agencies in cooperation with all had been able to contain such terrorist and militant attacks… I request people to resist the culprits in the future, too,’ Hasina said.

The Prime Minister said the government wants a peaceful situation in the country to ensure development of the country.

Defying all obstacles, she said, the government has been able to take the country forward and place in developing country status. ‘Bangladesh is now a role model of development in the world, this country is the example to many countries for its quicker development.’ 

Stating that the only aim of the government is to materialise the dream of Father of the Nation Bangbandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to make the country a hunger- and poverty-free one, Hasina thanked people as they voted Awami League to power casting their votes in favour of ‘Boat’.

‘If they give us the chance to serve them again, then we’ll surely complete our development projects now being implemented,’ she said.

Hasina said the government will make the country hunger- and poverty-free by 2020 and celebrate the 50th anniversary of independence.

Dhaka South City Mayor Sayeed Khokan, Chaired by Health and Social Welfare Minister Mohammad Nasim, State Minister for Health and Social Welfare Ministry Dr Zahid Maleque, Army Chief General Aziz Ahmed, chief coordinator of the institute Dr Samanta Lal Sen and Engineering chief of Bangladesh Army Maj Gen M Siddiqur Rahman Sarker also spoke.

Health Secretary Md Serajul Huq Khan delivered the welcome speech.

The Sheikh Hasina National Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute will help treat more burn patients and make more plastic surgeons to meet the country’s requirements.

The 12-storey institute located next to the Mayor Mohammad Hanif Flyover will provide advanced treatment to burn patients while physicians and nurses will also get trainings to enhance their professional excellence.

With most modern equipment and technology, the institute would be a centre of excellence for treatment, research and studies.

The institute with 500 beds, 50 intensive care units and 12 operation theatres will be the largest burn and plastic surgery institute in the world.

On April 6, 2016, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the construction work by laying the foundation stone of the institute.

The burn and plastic surgery institute was constructed at a cost of Tk 522 crore as part of the present government’s plan to provide modern treatment facilities to the patients of burn injuries, create expert medical professionals and conduct research.

There are three blocks in the institute. Of those, one block will be the burn unit, one plastic surgery unit and another academic wing. Construction of the main building began on April 27, 2016.